Ruthless England breeze past Senegal to set up quarter-final bout against France

England’s stellar form in major tournaments under Gareth Southgate continued as the Three Lions cruised into the quarter-finals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup with a 3-0 win over Senegal at the Al Bayt Stadium. First-half goals from Jordan Henderson and Harry Kane gave England the early ascendency before Bukayo Saka put the game to bed in the second period to help the team advance into the quarter-finals.

This result sets up a potential classic in the next round as England take on France, who beat Poland 3-1 in their last 16 clash, in their first-ever meeting in the knockout stages of a major tournament.

Gareth Southgate made one change to the England XI from their comfortable 3-0 victory over Wales in their final group game, with Bukayo Saka replacing Marcus Rashford on the right wing. It was a sluggish start to the game from the Three Lions as they were agitated by the Senegal press, and the African nation also had a golden chance to open the scoring after Harry Maguire was caught in possession in the 20th minute.

Jordan Pickford was forced to make an important intervention as the ball fell kindly to Watford attacker Ismaila Sarr in the penalty area. The Everton shot-stopper made another crucial save in the first half-hour against Boulaye Dia after Bukayo Saka turned the ball over in England’s half.

England finally burst into life towards the end of the half and found an opening thanks to some excellent work from Jude Bellingham. Receiving the ball from Harry Kane, Bellingham drove into the Senegal penalty area before slotting in Jordan Henderson, whose side-footed finish found the back of the net to put the Three Lions 1-0 in front.

Seven minutes later, England doubled their lead after a devastating counter-attack on the stroke of half-time. The Borussia Dortmund youngster was at the heart of the move once again as he strode forward with the ball before picking out Phil Foden, who set up Harry Kane to make it 2-0 to the Three Lions with the final kick of the half.

Senegal manager Aliou Cisse made three changes at half-time with one final throw of the dice, but England controlled the second half brilliantly to see off any threat. Bukayo Saka added a third after another Foden assist in the 57th minute to put the game to bed, allowing Gareth Southgate to rest his key players in the final half-hour ahead of a mouth-watering clash against France in the quarter-finals.